Timing Belt or Timing Chain?

You may have heard the timing belt referred to as a timing chain. This may leave you wondering which is in your vehicle and how to take care of it. Let’s clear up some of the confusion.

The timing belt is connected to the crankshaft and the camshaft. It helps keep the valves opening and closing at the proper time, which is essential to keeping the engine running. In older cars, this belt used to be a chain. It served the same purpose and worked in a similar manner. By the 1970s, almost all car manufacturers used belts instead of chains. It is unlikely that you will see a timing chain in a car, but old habits die hard and the old term is sometimes still used.

It may be time to Bring your car into Rick Hendrick BMW Charleston soon for a timing belt inspection.